Both India and Australia have a long history of partnership and cooperation, with established formal diplomatic ties since 1944. While this cooperation has remained the case across several areas, there is a renewed focus and appreciation by both nations as to the benefits that research collaboration can bring.
Research collaboration extends back many decades between the nations, with Science and Technology cooperation agreements in 1975, and in 2020 a Memorandum of Understanding that covers a variety of research areas of interest to both nations.
As Australia's Update to the India Economic Strategy action plan states "a strong and productive Australia-India education relationship should be seen as the flagship of the bilateral relationship" and the research and innovation relationship plays a key role in realising this vision.